Dr. Bob Tackett, medical
director at Lafene Student Health Center, made a presentation
to the Senate on Pandemic Flu. Dr. Tackett is chairing the Pandemic
Flu Committee and outlined the committee's plan which provides
a framework for departments to use in developing department-specific
details. Dr. Tackett stressed that each department must plan
how they will continue to function during a pandemic. Identifying
essential departmental functions and cross-training employees
are issues departments need to consider when developing their
plans, Tackett pointed out. The draft of the Pandemic Flu Plan
can be viewed at: http://www.k-state.edu/safety/Documents/PandemicFluPlan.pdf
Gary Leitnaker, HR, reported that Open Enrollment is during
October 1-31. Employees should have received their open enrollment
packet in campus mail. Some employees are having trouble logging
in to the state system to make their benefits selection. If
you encounter this, contact the Helpdesk at 1-866-999-3001.
Any questions about Open Enrollment can be directed to Joe Younger,
HR at K-State. The Benefits Fair is October 4 from 10-3 in the
Union Main Ballroom. There will be two Open Enrollment employee
meetings at K-State: 9am in Forum Hall and 3pm in Little Theater.
Classified Senate met with Regent Jill Docking on September
26, 2007. President Wefald arranged this meeting for Senate
to have an opportunity to discuss face-to-face with one of the
Regent board members the important issues Classified Senate
is addressing this academic year. The three points Senate discussed
with Regent Docking were classified leave enhancement, the state
pay plan proposed changes and representation on the Board of
Regents as Faculty and Student Senates have. A packet of information
requested by Regent Docking was sent to her along with a summary
of the points discussed and a thank you letter for her time,
enthusiasm and commitment to knowing the issues on all levels.
Attached is an informative flyer on Senate issues distributed
at the Benefits Fair.
The Campus Affairs Committee passed around a schedule for those
Senators who signed up to work the Senate booth at the Benefits
Fair and reminded the Senate of that the Benefits Fair is October
4, 2007. The committee met on September 21st with Cindy Bontrager
from the KSU budget office to listen to her presentation about
the budget and discuss the details for the budget forum Classified
Senate is organizing this fall. The committee found the information
very informative in understanding how the money the state allocates
to the board of regents is distributed on a regents and university
level. The committee is planning to have the budget forum offered
at two different sessions to allow classified staff who work
varied shifts the opportunity to attend. The Legislative Affairs
Committee is working with the Campus Affairs Committee to also
present details of the proposed changes to state pay plan at
these forums. The next committee meeting is October 17, 2007.
The Legislative Affairs Committee passed out the revisions to
the Senate by-laws. Senators are to review, come prepared for
discussion and to vote on the by-law changes at the November
7th meeting. The next Oversight Commission meeting is October
15th in which the details of the proposed changes to the state
pay plan will be discussed. Jennifer Owensby, President-Elect
KSU Classified Senate has been asked by the Oversight Commission
to present at the October 15th meeting her statement submitted
September 25 on behalf of the Regents Kansas Council of Classified
Senates in response to the Commission's request for feedback
on the proposed changes to the state pay plan. Jennyfer's statement
is attached. The proposed changes to the state pay plan have
nothing to do with alternative service, becoming university
support staff like KU, or other misinterpretations. The State
Employee Compensation Oversight Commission was created by the
2007 Legislature and charged with the development of a new pay
plan for State employees that is to be presented to the 2008
Legislature. More information or questions about the October
15th meeting can be directed to Connie Kissee at: wildkats@ksu.edu
.
The Recognition Ceremony Committee reported they have created
a survey to get feedback from classified employees on the nomination
process for Classified Employees of the Year. The survey will
be passed out at the Benefits Fair and is also attached to this
email. Please take a few minutes to fill out the attached survey
to let the Recognition Ceremony Committee know your opinion.
From the feedback received the committee will determine if changes
need to be made to the Employee of the Year nomination process
and recognition. Print the survey off, fill out and return by
November 16, 2007 to Classified Senate, 105 Anderson Hall. Thank
you for your time and input!
The Public Relations Committee reported the next issue of the
ROAR will be in published in November. Articles are due to Melissa
or Lois by the end of October. A new feature of the ROAR will
be spotlighting different classified employees across campus.
If you have any suggestions on who to spotlight for the February
issue, contact Melissa Linenberger mwaso@ksu.edu
or Lois Schreiner at lschrein@ksu.edu
.
University Committee Updates:
Richard Brenner reported that the special task force on using
text messaging as a component of the "Campus Disaster Response"
initiative has completed its work and submitted a report to
Dr. Rawson.
Barb Nagel reported that the Alternative Service Committee is
waiting to find out the details of the proposed changes to the
state pay plan before determining whether the committee's work
is done or needs to continue.
The next meeting of Classified Senate is November 7th in KSSU
Staterooms 1&2 at 12:45pm.